Sorting features with MoSCoW

Using MoSCoW becomes clearer when applied to a single functionality rather than an entire product release. Imagine a team improving the search function in an e-commerce platform. A Must Have could be keyword search with filters by price and category, because without it customers cannot find products efficiently. A Should Have might be autocomplete suggestions, which make the process faster but are not critical for completing a purchase. Could Have features could include advanced filters like color or brand preferences. These add value but their absence would not block the shopping experience. A Won’t Have might be image-based search, since it requires significant investment and is not essential at this stage.

By framing decisions around one functionality, the categories become sharper and trade-offs more realistic. Teams can weigh technical complexity against user expectations without being overwhelmed by the entire scope of a product. This approach also highlights how MoSCoW manages expectations: stakeholders see clearly which improvements are non-negotiable and which are deferred. The simplicity of the method allows for quick alignment, while its main limitation remains the lack of prioritization within categories, which may still need discussion.